NAT
Live on eStudyGate100% VerifiedNTS (National Testing Service)
Pakistan's Centralized Aptitude Test for Undergraduate BS Admissions
1. Quick Facts Bar
National Testing Service (NTS)
90 MCQs · 120 Minutes
+1 mark per correct answer · 0 penalty for incorrect answers (no negative marking)
Strictly Prohibited
Conducted roughly every month (~12 cycles per year)
Valid for 1 Year from the date of the test
PKR 850 – 1,000
Results announced on nts.org.pk within 7 days of test conduct
Both (CBT & PBT)
2. Who Conducts & Official Regulatory Mandate
Primary Authority
National Testing Service — Pakistan (NTS)
Parent Regulatory Body: Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan
Provides standardized aptitude assessments for undergraduate university admissions across participating institutions.
NAT was introduced in 2003 to enable students to take a single national exam that could be submitted to multiple universities simultaneously, eliminating the need to travel and pay registration fees for separate institutional tests.
3. Where It Is Accepted & Where It Is NOT Accepted
Where It Is Valid & Required
- COMSATS University Islamabad (All Campuses)Mandatory
BS Computer Science, BS Software Engineering, BBA, BS Electrical Engineering
COMSATS accepts NAT scores for all undergraduate admissions.
- Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) MultanAccepted
Undergraduate BS programs
- Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), RawalpindiMandatory
All BS degree programs
- Institute of Space Technology (IST), IslamabadAccepted
BS Computer Science, BS Space Science, BS Avionics (non-PEC programs)
- Islamia University of Bahawalpur & Kinnaird College LahoreAccepted
BS disciplines
Where It Is NOT Accepted (Exemptions)
- NUST (National University of Sciences & Technology)
NUST requires its own entrance test (NUST NET).
Required Alternative: NUST NET. - Public Medical & Dental Colleges
Medical admissions are governed exclusively by PMDC via MDCAT.
Required Alternative: PMDC National MDCAT. - UET Lahore (BSc Engineering)
UET Lahore requires ECAT for engineering disciplines.
Required Alternative: UET ECAT.
Strategic Counsel: NAT is ideal if you are applying to COMSATS, FJWU, or participating regional universities. Its monthly frequency makes it easy to retake and boost your score.
4. Eligibility Criteria & Educational Prerequisites
12 Years of Education (HSSC / FSc / ICS / I.Com / A-Levels) or equivalent
Minimum 50% marks in Intermediate or equivalent
Compulsory Checkpoints
- Students in final year of HSSC can apply on hope certificate basis.
- Registration on nts.org.pk before the monthly deadline.
5. Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Section Weightages
NAT-I (for 12 years of education) consists of 90 MCQs to be answered in 120 minutes. The paper is tailored by student stream (NAT-IE for Engineering, NAT-IM for Medical, NAT-ICS for Computer Science, NAT-IA for Arts, NAT-ICOM for Commerce).
Verbal Reasoning
Sentence completion, analogies, and reading comprehension.
Analytical Reasoning
Logical deductions, ordering puzzles, and constraint trees.
Quantitative Reasoning
Basic arithmetic, algebra, percentages, ratios, and geometry.
Subject Knowledge
Academic subject questions matching the student’s specific stream (e.g. Physics/Chem/Math for NAT-IE).
6. Scoring System, Percentiles & Merit Calculations
50% (45 marks out of 90) is the standard qualifying threshold
70+ out of 90 for competitive BS CS programs at COMSATS
Scores above 75 place an applicant in the top 5% nationally.
Official Merit Calculation Formulas
COMSATS Undergraduate Admission Merit
Formula: (NAT % × 0.50) + (FSc % × 0.40) + (Matric % × 0.10).
7. Test Schedule, Cadence & Testing Cities
Offered every month throughout the year in approximately 12 cycles.
| Cycle / Series | Testing Window | Registration | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAT Monthly Cycles | Conducted every month (Jan to Dec) | 3 weeks prior to each sitting | PBT / CBT |
Nationwide Test Cities
Reporting & Biometric Security Protocol
Candidates must report 30 minutes before the scheduled time with Roll Number Slip and CNIC/B-Form.
8. Critical Examiner Observations & Where Marks Are Lost
NAT questions test fundamental high school competence. Time management across the 4 sections is the key differentiator.
Stalling in Analytical Logic
Section Vulnerability Analysis: Analytical Reasoning produces the lowest average score nationally.
9. High-Yield Tactical Rules to Score Maximum Marks
Attempt 100% of Questions
Because there is no negative marking, never leave any of the 90 bubbles empty.
10. Recommended Step-by-Step Preparation Roadmap
Structured 4-Week Master Plan
Phase 1: Diagnostic Assessment
Week 1Take the Free eStudyGate NAT Diagnostic Mock (90 questions).
- Identify weak areas across Verbal, Math, and Analytical.
Phase 2: Practice & Full Mocks
Weeks 2 – 4Complete full-length timed mocks on eStudyGate.
- Complete 4 timed mocks and review all 4-option explanations.
11. How eStudyGate Prepares You to Win
Ace NAT and Secure University Admission with 10 Full-Length Mocks
Take our free 90-question NAT Diagnostic Test and get an instant score breakdown and percentile projection.
10 Full-Length Timed Mocks
10 MocksComplete 90-question tests matching the official NTS NAT structure.
4-Option Explanations
VerifiedDetailed reasoning for every choice to eliminate confusion.
12. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
13. Official Regulatory Gazettes & Sourcing
All facts and regulatory thresholds on this page are verified directly against official gazettes and test administrator portals:
- NTS NAT Official Webpage & RegistrationNational Testing Service (NTS)View Gazette
Disclaimer: eStudyGate is an independent test-preparation research engine and is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or administered by NTS (National Testing Service).